Health risks and vaccinations

Health Issues

Healthcare in Hong Kong is excellent by international standards, especially compared to most Asian cities. In fact, the average life expectancy is higher than the United States. However, the city has its fair share of health issues and it is not unusual for newcomers to find themselves falling ill more frequently while acclimatizing to their new environment.

History of Diseases in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, in spite of its excellent health system periodically faces outbreaks of epidemics and diseases which at times can be life threatening. The most recent such outbreak was in November 2010 when an single case of H5N1 avian influenza ("bird flu") was reported from Hong Kong. The WHO states that most visitors to HK are not threatened by avian influenza since it is transmitted to humans only if the person has had direct contact with infected live poultry or has had intimate contact with family members affected by the disease. The WHO goes on to advice that visitors to Hong Kong should guard against avian flu by avoiding exposure to live poultry including visits to poultry farms and open markets with live birds.

Visitors should also be careful not to touch any surfaces that might be contaminated with feces from poultry or other animals; and further should make sure all poultry and egg products are thoroughly cooked. Even though a vaccine for avian flu has been developed, it is still not commercially available and human influenza vaccine is not effective against avian flu. If, however, you do develop symptoms associated with avian influenza you are advised to seek immediate medical help.

An earlier incidence of H5N1 avian influenza ("bird flu") took place in 1997 which saw the disease spread to humans and result in six deaths. The outbreak in 1997 was contained by the mass slaughter of poultry as all the cases had been due to contact with infected poultry.